RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
That's precisely what excellent S15 coaching and equally excellent player development (latter often derived from the former) does for national selection that merits little argument.
Wallabies v France 1st test - Suncorp 7 June
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That's precisely what excellent S15 coaching and equally excellent player development (latter often derived from the former) does for national selection that merits little argument.
T
Train Without a Station
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Completely different situation too. The previously complained about Waratahs being selected were in a poor performing Super Rugby team, performed fairly average at national level, in an average performing team and most importantly, most didn't have any previous form to be picked on anyway.
Now they're playing good.
Looking at the current situation the only Reds player you could complain about Horwill, who is reserve lock, and shown ability to be one of the best locks in the world. Link might have got it wrong and what he offers in performance might be inferior to what Jones or Skelton would have, but at least there is a real reason to pick him.
Now they're playing good.
Looking at the current situation the only Reds player you could complain about Horwill, who is reserve lock, and shown ability to be one of the best locks in the world. Link might have got it wrong and what he offers in performance might be inferior to what Jones or Skelton would have, but at least there is a real reason to pick him.
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
I say as a passionate Reds fan: with this (justifiably) small number of Reds players selected, the dynasty-forming claims and 2012 chest-thumping hubris of the QRU lie in tatters, little but burning wrecks.
Tahs and Brums are rightly being rewarded for the excellence of their coaching and further the excellent impact their coaches are having with individual player skills development and personal growth.
Mortal Wombat
Allen Oxlade (6)
With regard to the tight head props, I believe there is method in the madness, rather than mere desperation or weak depth.
The Tahs scrum went from being one of the strongest in super rugby last year to one of the weakest this year, without any change in personnel. They've only really started to look better in the past month, IMO.
This is readily explained by their lack of a specialist scrum coach in coping with the new law changes, and a lack of interest in that part of the game by Cheika.
I think Link reckons there is significant potential improvement in Kepu and Ryan once the appropriate focus by a professional scrum coach irons out the technical issues.
The Tahs scrum went from being one of the strongest in super rugby last year to one of the weakest this year, without any change in personnel. They've only really started to look better in the past month, IMO.
This is readily explained by their lack of a specialist scrum coach in coping with the new law changes, and a lack of interest in that part of the game by Cheika.
I think Link reckons there is significant potential improvement in Kepu and Ryan once the appropriate focus by a professional scrum coach irons out the technical issues.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Love the team picked and hope they smash into the Frogs on the weekend. Carter is a slight surprise, but a deserved reward for his performances over the last couple of seasons. He's exactly kind of gnarly abraisive tight forward we need in there (especially against an equally nasty French pack). I'm also a little surprised by AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) being a pushed to the wing, but this might have more to do with the dearth of wings available than his own play at outside centre (which has been excellent over the last few weeks).
I have to admit that I'm bloody excited by the prospect of some hard and direct running play out in that back line. Every bloke picked is a massive threat with ball in hand, knows how to hit and bend the gain line and all of them can put the hurt on in D. There's no lack of skill either and the game plan looks to be shaping as "up the guts and spread it wide" (tm), while putting some pace on the game (the best way to play rugby football IMHO). In the pigs too there is no lack of big ball runners.
The defence shouldn't be lacking either, as there are guys across the park who love smashing blokes.
I hope we fucking kill 'em.
I have to admit that I'm bloody excited by the prospect of some hard and direct running play out in that back line. Every bloke picked is a massive threat with ball in hand, knows how to hit and bend the gain line and all of them can put the hurt on in D. There's no lack of skill either and the game plan looks to be shaping as "up the guts and spread it wide" (tm), while putting some pace on the game (the best way to play rugby football IMHO). In the pigs too there is no lack of big ball runners.
The defence shouldn't be lacking either, as there are guys across the park who love smashing blokes.
I hope we fucking kill 'em.
Mr Doug
Dick Tooth (41)
Yes boyo, much jubilation in our home today with a second family member, Wallaby #879, cousin Sammy, following in his Dad Dave's footsteps!! I saw the team list on this thread just as the 'phone rang, and tried to tell Mrs Doug, but was too choked up to get any words out! On the phone was Miss Doug who lives in Canada. She had already communicated via Facebook, with Sam's Sister, Georgie. Exciting times!!
I thought Sam was a good chance to be on the bench, but run-on lock is fantastic. The then Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans told Dave that Sam needed to put on 8 kgs to assist his future prospects, as he had a high opinion of him. For many years it has been "Sam's plan" to make the Wallabies 2015 RWC squad.
It may not be widely know that Link wanted Sam at the Reds, but Reds management said no, so he joined the Brumbies. That has proven to be a very wise decision, and today's announcement just confirms the high regard Link continues to have for Sam!
We were hoping to catch up with Sam at Sanctuary Cove this week, but I think he may be somewhat 'pre-occupied' leading up to the kick-off!
Bring on Saturday!!
I thought Sam was a good chance to be on the bench, but run-on lock is fantastic. The then Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans told Dave that Sam needed to put on 8 kgs to assist his future prospects, as he had a high opinion of him. For many years it has been "Sam's plan" to make the Wallabies 2015 RWC squad.
It may not be widely know that Link wanted Sam at the Reds, but Reds management said no, so he joined the Brumbies. That has proven to be a very wise decision, and today's announcement just confirms the high regard Link continues to have for Sam!
We were hoping to catch up with Sam at Sanctuary Cove this week, but I think he may be somewhat 'pre-occupied' leading up to the kick-off!
Bring on Saturday!!
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
And Really who was he going to pick, once Alexander bit the dust and Longbottom did the Harold Holt, Ryan got the nod as the 3rd THP, so goes to 2nd and he brings in Weeks.
I would said earlier in the season he wasn't playing well but he is a known, who else really is there ?
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Last Man Standing ..
T
Train Without a Station
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Last game's form is also more relevant than round 1 form too.
To be honest his scrummaging still wasn't that great against the Chiefs. He was up against probably one of the weaker looseheads in the comp when it comes to technique. It was his best game of the season, but he was playing better footy last year and the year before IMO.
I think it is more of a last man standing sort of situation.
Problem for Genia and Horwill is the fact that there are a number of other good players that are playing well in their positions. To be honest i would have started Horwill or dropped him all together. I think he is wasted on the bench and would rather see Jones there.
ChargerWA
Mark Loane (55)
Your other issue is that 2 of your best players are Kiwi's.
Sir Arthur Higgins
Dick Tooth (41)
just dont understand who you would have in?
Horwill whilst not in the best form was the captain and has ample experience which i think you need on the bench when you have one lock making his debut. i think jones will get on in the second or third test as link either benches horwill or rests carter.
higgers - i would have him on my bench, but i completely understand the non-selection given penalty count and a little less impact than we'd like from the big fella.
I am disappointed toby smith is not in the broader squad as i think he deserves it but i don't feel as though either weeks or smith should be in the match day squad.
we have no other backs that are there (and qualify)
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
I can completely understand Carter ahead of Jones.
To me they are not like for like players. Carter is more suited to the type of trench warfare the Frogs will try to draw the game into.
The first question Link would have asked himself was who is going to run the lineout?
With neither Mowen or Douglas available there was an obvious answer in Simmons.
Then it became a question of second row balance. Jones vs Horwill vs Carter.
In a specific role Carter fits better.He is going to be required to spend the evening with his head down, looking for the dirty work.
To me they are not like for like players. Carter is more suited to the type of trench warfare the Frogs will try to draw the game into.
The first question Link would have asked himself was who is going to run the lineout?
With neither Mowen or Douglas available there was an obvious answer in Simmons.
Then it became a question of second row balance. Jones vs Horwill vs Carter.
In a specific role Carter fits better.He is going to be required to spend the evening with his head down, looking for the dirty work.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Someone raised it before, but in comparing Carter and Jones, Carter is getting rewarded for two stellar Super Rugby seasons wheras Jones has only been central to discussions this year.
That said, I expect Jones to play test rugby this year and I think he will get a chance during this series.
That said, I expect Jones to play test rugby this year and I think he will get a chance during this series.
Pfitzy
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Whoppa is crap. That's all there is to it.
Was the moment when Kane Douglas completely monstered Jones a critical one.......
For mine generally pretty happy with the side would have like to seen skelton in place of Horwill and Higgers on the bench in place of McCallmum. McCalmum has been really good but I think you have to look at the impact from the bench and higgers offers more in that way. McC more of an 80 minute player
For mine generally pretty happy with the side would have like to seen skelton in place of Horwill and Higgers on the bench in place of McCallmum. McCalmum has been really good but I think you have to look at the impact from the bench and higgers offers more in that way. McC more of an 80 minute player
Gnostic
Mark Ella (57)
With regard to Ryan and to a lesser degree Kepu,
I think people are overlooking that the scrum performance of the Tahs is not a thing that Chieka (to his discredit IMO) concerned himself with this year. It has been left up to Ben Robinson to "coach". Not a situation I would think is designed to get the best from players in this facet of play.
I would suggest that Link/Blades believe that whatever they have seen from them they think that the focus on scrummaging they have will be sufficient to restore the prowess of these players. Certainly purely based on performance Longbottom deserved to be picked ahead of Kepu and Ryan. Weeks I am not to sure about, like the rest of the Rebels has been too inconsistent (excluding Jones).
Not surprised at all about Higginbotham, who I feel is lucky to make the extended squad with more coverage of another position a real possibility over the top of him.
The real surprise for me as I said on the other thread was the complete omission of Genia. Even though I completely agree that purely on form he doesn't deserve the selection I am still surprised, as he has so much potential. I hope this is the proverbial kick in the arse he needs to get his shit together at both the Reds and test level.
As for the rest, much as we all thought it would be and I am sooooooo glad to see Foley at 10.
I think people are overlooking that the scrum performance of the Tahs is not a thing that Chieka (to his discredit IMO) concerned himself with this year. It has been left up to Ben Robinson to "coach". Not a situation I would think is designed to get the best from players in this facet of play.
I would suggest that Link/Blades believe that whatever they have seen from them they think that the focus on scrummaging they have will be sufficient to restore the prowess of these players. Certainly purely based on performance Longbottom deserved to be picked ahead of Kepu and Ryan. Weeks I am not to sure about, like the rest of the Rebels has been too inconsistent (excluding Jones).
Not surprised at all about Higginbotham, who I feel is lucky to make the extended squad with more coverage of another position a real possibility over the top of him.
The real surprise for me as I said on the other thread was the complete omission of Genia. Even though I completely agree that purely on form he doesn't deserve the selection I am still surprised, as he has so much potential. I hope this is the proverbial kick in the arse he needs to get his shit together at both the Reds and test level.
As for the rest, much as we all thought it would be and I am sooooooo glad to see Foley at 10.
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